A friend is like gold, tribulation is like the fire: the pure gold is glad in the heart of the fire.

امتحان کردن خواجه‏ی لقمان زیرکی لقمان را

How Luqmán's master tested his sagacity.

نه که لقمان را که بنده‏ی پاک بود ** روز و شب در بندگی چالاک بود

(Was it) not (the case) that (this happened) to Luqmán, who was a pure (unselfish) slave, and day and night was brisk in service?

خواجه‏اش می‏داشتی در کار پیش ** بهترش دیدی ز فرزندان خویش‏

His master used to prefer him (to all others) in the work (of service) and deem him better than his own sons,

ز انکه لقمان گر چه بنده زاد بود ** خواجه بود و از هوا آزاد بود

Because Luqmán, though he was slave-born, was the master (of himself) and was free from sensual desire.

گفت شاهی شیخ را اندر سخن ** چیزی از بخشش ز من درخواست کن‏1465

A certain king said to the Shaykh (spiritual Director) in conversation, “Ask me to bestow some bounty upon thee.”

گفت ای شه شرم ناید مر ترا ** که چنین گویی مرا زین برتر آ

He answered, “O King, are not you ashamed to say such a thing to me? Come higher!

من دو بنده دارم و ایشان حقیر ** و آن دو بر تو حاکمانند و امیر

I have two slaves, and they are vile, and those two are rulers and lords over you.”

گفت شه آن دو چه‏اند این زلت است ** گفت آن یک خشم و دیگر شهوت است‏

Said the King, “What are those two? This is a mistake.” He replied, “The one is anger and the other is lust.”

شاه آن دان کاو ز شاهی فارغ است ** بی‏مه و خورشید نورش بازغ است‏

Regard as a king him that is unconcerned with kingship, him whose light shines forth without moon or sun.

مخزن آن دارد که مخزن ذات اوست ** هستی او دارد که با هستی عدوست‏1470

(Only) that one whose essence is the treasury (of spiritual truths) possesses the treasury: (only) he that is an enemy to (his own) existence possesses (real) existence.

خواجه‏ی لقمان به ظاهر خواجه‏وش ** در حقیقت بنده، لقمان خواجه‏اش‏

Luqmán's master (was) like a master outwardly; in reality he was a slave, and Luqmán was his master.

در جهان باژگونه زین بسی است ** در نظرشان گوهری کم از خسی است‏

In the topsy-turvy world there is many a one of this (kind): a pearl is less than a straw in their sight.

مر بیابان را مفازه نام شد ** نام و رنگی عقلشان را دام شد

Every desert has been named mafáza (place of safety): a name and specious form has ensnared their understanding.

یک گره را خود معرف جامه است ** در قبا گویند کاو از عامه است‏

In the case of one class of people, the dress makes (a man) known: (if he is dressed) in a qabá, they say that he belongs to the vulgar.

یک گره را ظاهر سالوس زهد ** نور باید تا بود جاسوس زهد1475

In the case of one class of people (the distinguishing mark is) the hypocritical appearance of asceticism; (but) light is needed, that (any one) may be a spy on asceticism (and detect its true character).

نور باید پاک از تقلید و غول ** تا شناسد مرد را بی‏فعل و قول‏

Light is needed, (a light) purged of cant and noxiousness, that he may know a man without (the evidence of) deed or word,

در رود در قلب او از راه عقل ** نقد او بیند نباشد بند نقل‏

And enter into his heart by way of the intellect, and behold his real state and not be confined to tradition.

بندگان خاص علام الغیوب ** در جهان جان جواسیس القلوب‏

The chosen servants of (God) the Knower of things unseen are, in the spiritual world, the spies on hearts.

در درون دل در آید چون خیال ** پیش او مکشوف باشد سر حال‏

He (such a one) enters within the heart like a fancy: the mystery of the (real) state is unveiled to him.

در تن گنجشک چه بود برگ و ساز ** که شود پوشیده آن بر عقل باز1480

In the body of the sparrow what power and faculty is there that is hidden from the intellect of the falcon?

آن که واقف گشت بر اسرار هو ** سر مخلوقات چه بود پیش او

He who has become acquainted with the secrets of Hú (God), what to him is the secret (inmost consciousness) of created beings?

آن که بر افلاک رفتارش بود ** بر زمین رفتن چه دشوارش بود

He whose walk is on the spheres, how should it be hard for him to walk on the earth?

در کف داود کاهن گشت موم ** موم چه بود در کف او ای ظلوم‏

Since iron became wax in the hand of David, what should wax be in his hand, O man of iniquity?

بود لقمان بنده شکلی خواجه‏ای ** بندگی بر ظاهرش دیباجه‏ای‏

Luqmán was a slave in appearance, a master (in reality): servitude was (only) a frontispiece on his outside.

چون رود خواجه به جای ناشناس ** در غلام خویش پوشاند لباس‏1485

When the master goes to a place where he is not known, he puts (his own) clothes on his slave.